The Charming Longhua Pagoda and Longhua Temple

Open for public visits as the 'Longhua Park', themajority of it was reconstructed by the Emperor
Longhua Pagoda and Temple area attracts largeTongzhi and Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty.
numbers of tourists both local and international.Meanwhile the seven-storied Longhua Pagoda that
Positioned towards the southwest region of the city,stands right opposite the Longhua Temple is 40.4
Longhua Pagoda and Temple was built in 274 AD.metres high. The pagoda mainly consists of the brick
The impressive, Longhua Temple which boasts astructure and the wooden staircases. Each level of
history of 1700 years is renowned as Shanghai'sthe Longhua Pagoda is smaller than the one beneath
oldest and largest temple. The temple alone occupiesand each storey is surrounded by balconies. As the
a total land area of more than 20,000 square metres.wind sweeps by, the bells placed on each bend of
Some of its most outstanding architectural featuresthe octagonal attic make pleasant sounds adding to
include the Maitreya Hall, Three Sages Hall, Devajaraits enchantment. It is recorded that Longhua Pagoda
Hall, Mahavira Hall, Abbot's Hall and Sutras Keeping Hall.has been restored quite a number of times.
The latter is well known for housing the DazangHowever, despite several renovations the original
sutras, the gold seals as well as the famous Buddhistarchitectural styles of the Song Dynasty can be
statues. Other notable features include the Bellspotted even today.
Tower and the Drum Tower. The Bell Tower which isThe best way to explore this charming, sacred and
three-storied has a revered copper bell. The bell'speaceful sight is to stay at a nearby hotel in Nanjing
diameter is one point three metres while its height isRoad. Travellers can also choose to stay at a luxury
two metres. Held on 31st December each year, theboutique hotel in Shanghai such as the Langham
Evening Bell-Striking Ceremony is ranked among theYangtze Boutique Shanghai and discover the
eight best attractions of Shanghai. However, as aexceptional Longhua Pagoda as well as many other
result of several wars, most of the temple's buildingsintriguing attractions in the region.
have been damaged during its long history. A